Benefit fraudster sentenced after Rochford Council investigation

A BENEFIT fraudster who claimed more than £12,000 when he had £145,000 in his bank account has narrowly avoided jail.

Stephen Ayrton, 51, formerly of East Street, Rochford, admitted six offences of failing to notify Rochford Council of changes in his circumstances over a three year period.

It meant he was paid £10,989.36 in housing benefit, £1376.59 in council tax benefit and council tax support of £110.24.

He was paid the cash despite receiving a total of £145,000 into his bank account which had come from an industrial injuries payment and income from his wife’s employment.

Ayrton also failed to declare that he was receiving an income selling fishing items on EBay. The council traced the claims back to between September 27 2010 and May 20 2013.

Ayrton was sentenced to two months in prison which was suspended for 12 months. He was given a curfew between 8pm and 7am for six months during which he will be electronically tagged. He was also fined £250, must pay costs of £250 and the overpayment must be repaid in full.

Cheryl Roe, Rochford Council’s portfolio holder for governance, said: “It is important to remind all benefit claimants that they should report any change to their circumstances immediately. To ignore it is not an option.

“The benefits system is there to help those who are in genuine need and it is only a small minority who attempt to abuse the system.

“However, we do have a very proactive fraud department at Rochford Council, and we will not tolerate anyone who seeks to commit benefit fraud. We will not only put them before the courts, but we will also seek to reclaim every single penny which has been overpaid.”

Anyone with suspicions about a potential fraudulent benefit claimant can call the council’s investigation team anonymously on 01702 318041 or email fraud@rochford.gov.uk.

Comments (9)

would of thought around 300 hour community service ( work pay back ) would of been a better option to the Tag as he is 51 and will be working the streets late at night here

saying that the fella is loaded … cheeky …

would of thought around 300 hour community service ( work pay back ) would of been a better option to the Tag as he is 51 and will be working the streets late at night here
saying that the fella is loaded … cheeky …JoeBlogs2

would of thought around 300 hour community service ( work pay back ) would of been a better option to the Tag as he is 51 and will NOT be walking the streets late at night here

saying that the fella is loaded … cheeky …

Sorry amended
would of thought around 300 hour community service ( work pay back ) would of been a better option to the Tag as he is 51 and will NOT be walking the streets late at night here
saying that the fella is loaded … cheeky …JoeBlogs2

Quote Cheryl Roe, Rochford Council’s portfolio holder for governance: “The benefits system is there to help those who are in genuine need..."
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There are tens of thousands of people/families that are on very low incomes that do not quite meet the Government's criteria to recieve any benefits or help and are, in fact, a lot poorer than those that are on benefits. Are these people not "in genuine need"?

Quote Cheryl Roe, Rochford Council’s portfolio holder for governance: “The benefits system is there to help those who are in genuine need..."
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There are tens of thousands of people/families that are on very low incomes that do not quite meet the Government's criteria to recieve any benefits or help and are, in fact, a lot poorer than those that are on benefits. Are these people not "in genuine need"?emcee

Another criminal who has 'narrowly avoided jail' Anna Luxton last week from Wickford and now this guy. When are the courts going to get tough with these parasites. Any citizen who steals from the state should be given a sentence as a deterrent to others. I work hard to support my 2 kids and partner and im sick of reading these articles.

Another criminal who has 'narrowly avoided jail' Anna Luxton last week from Wickford and now this guy. When are the courts going to get tough with these parasites. Any citizen who steals from the state should be given a sentence as a deterrent to others. I work hard to support my 2 kids and partner and im sick of reading these articles.HammersCraig

HammersCraig wrote:
Another criminal who has 'narrowly avoided jail' Anna Luxton last week from Wickford and now this guy. When are the courts going to get tough with these parasites. Any citizen who steals from the state should be given a sentence as a deterrent to others. I work hard to support my 2 kids and partner and im sick of reading these articles.

You parasitical tw@t

[quote][p][bold]HammersCraig[/bold] wrote:
Another criminal who has 'narrowly avoided jail' Anna Luxton last week from Wickford and now this guy. When are the courts going to get tough with these parasites. Any citizen who steals from the state should be given a sentence as a deterrent to others. I work hard to support my 2 kids and partner and im sick of reading these articles.[/p][/quote]You parasitical tw@tsesibollox

would of thought around 300 hour community service ( work pay back ) would of been a better option to the Tag as he is 51 and will NOT be walking the streets late at night here

saying that the fella is loaded … cheeky …

A bigger punishment would be to make him go out between the hours of 8pm and 7am.

[quote][p][bold]JoeBlogs2[/bold] wrote:
Sorry amended
would of thought around 300 hour community service ( work pay back ) would of been a better option to the Tag as he is 51 and will NOT be walking the streets late at night here
saying that the fella is loaded … cheeky …[/p][/quote]A bigger punishment would be to make him go out between the hours of 8pm and 7am.Nebs

All benefit fraud cases should have a mandatory prison sentence perhaps then the thieves will get the message third case in this issue and not one of them sent to prison!

Crime really does pay,,that is the message I get and cheating is well worth the risk!

All benefit fraud cases should have a mandatory prison sentence perhaps then the thieves will get the message third case in this issue and not one of them sent to prison!
Crime really does pay,,that is the message I get and cheating is well worth the risk!runwellian